DE29820400U1 - Feeding facility - Google Patents

Description

·\ Busse & Busse Patent Attorneys

European Patent and Trademark Attorneys

Dipl.-Ing. Dr. iur. V. Busse WEDA-Dammann & Westerkamp GmbH Dipl.-Ing. Dietrich Busse

A _m Du„u _Ä fi Dipl.-Ing. Egon Bünemann

Dipl.-Ing. Ulrich Pott

D-49424 Lutten

Wholesale Ring G

D-49084 Osnabruck

PO Box 1226

D-49002 Osnabruck

Telephone:0541-586081 Fax:0541-588164

09.11.98 DB/Ba

Feeding facility

The invention relates to a feeding device in a design according to the preamble of claim 1.

In a known feeding device of this type (DE 40 40 450 CI), the feed lines and the individual consumer lines are each connected in series. The consumer line is supplied with feed from a first weighing mixture container at one end, which is connected to the first feed line, and then or simultaneously at its other end is supplied with feed from a second weighing mixture container via the feed line connected to it. Separating bodies separate feed strands in the line system from one another or from displacement liquid and can be moved along the consumer line.

The invention addresses the problem of creating a feeding device of the type mentioned above, which enables the supply of feed to consumer points with a particularly simple design of the line system.

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light that can be selected from feed mixtures of different compositions. The invention solves this problem with a feeding device with the features of claim 1. With regard to essential further embodiments, reference is made to claims 2 to 14.

In the feeding device according to the invention, the feed line of each weighing mixture container and the return line associated with it form a simple ring line system to which several consumer lines can be connected in a kind of parallel connection. This allows, for example, the supply of consumer points that are each arranged in different stable buildings with the help of one or more consumer lines that lead into the stable building and out of it again, whereby the consumer lines in the various stable buildings are supplied via the simple ring line system that is laid, for example, in a connecting corridor common to the various stables. With the feeding device according to the invention, it is therefore possible to supply a large number of consumer points with comparatively little pipe effort, as is particularly necessary in large breeding operations in which animals at different rearing stages are housed separately in different stable buildings.

Further details and effects emerge from the following description and the drawing, in which an embodiment of the subject matter of the invention is schematically illustrated in more detail. In the drawing show:

Fig. 1 a circuit diagram of the feed mixing station of a feeding facility

device according to the invention with three weighing mixing containers and intermediate containers assigned to them, and

Fig. 2 is a circuit diagram of the line system continuing in Fig. 1,

the part of the ring main system that supplies the consumer lines on an enlarged scale.

The feeding device shown comprises three weighing mixing containers 100, 200, 300, each of which is assigned an intermediate container 101, 201, 301. The weighing mixing containers 100, 200, 300 can be filled with fresh water and with different feed components from different feed storage containers not shown via lines not shown in detail. In the weighing mixing container 100, a feed mixture with a basic recipe A is mixed, in the weighing mixing container 200 a feed mixture with a basic recipe B and in the weighing mixing container 300 a feed mixture with a basic recipe C, whereby the mixing process as well as the subsequent feed dispensing process is controlled by a central switching device 405, which is controlled by a central computer 410.

A feed line 102,202,302 is connected to the bottom outlet of the weighing mixture containers 100,200,300, in which a feed pump 103, 203 or 303 is located. In a downstream of control valves 104,105,106,107 or 204,205,206,207 or 304,305,306,307, separating bodies 108,109 or 208,209 or 308,309 are arranged closely behind one another in the feed line 102,202,302 in the initial position shown in Fig. 1, which can be moved individually or together along the consumer line 102,202 or 302. The movement is carried out by a pressure gradient between the two respective

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because of media adjacent to a separating body 108,109 or 208,209 or 308,309, e.g. a feed mixture or a displacement liquid.

The supply lines 102, 202, 302, which are laid as parallel and close to one another as possible, serve to supply consumer lines 420, 430, 440, of which there are a large number in practice, but at least two. The consumer lines have a number of valve-controlled branches 421, 431, 441 to consumer points 422, 432, 442, which are formed by troughs, for example. The consumer lines 420, 430, 440 each supply a complete stable area or the consumer points in a separate stable building and are connected on the inlet side to the supply line 102 and additionally via line sections 423, 433, 443 and 424, 434 or 444 to the supply lines 202 or 203. Valves 425,426,427 or 435,436,437 or 445,446,447 open or close the connections of the consumer lines 420,430 or 440 according to the respective program specification.

It is possible to supply the consumer points 422, 432, 442 with either the feed mixture A and/or the feed mixture B and/or the feed mixture C one after the other or simultaneously, whereby when a consumer point is supplied with more than one type of feed mixture at the same time, the mixing ratio is determined by the respective feed pumps 103, 203 or 303. These are designed as metering pumps, which are, for example, frequency-controlled. For monitoring and control purposes, flow rate measuring devices 114, 214 or 314 can be arranged upstream or downstream of the feed pumps 103, 203, 303.

Each supply line 102,202,302 can be shut off downstream of the last consumer line 420,430,440 by means of a valve 113,213,313 and, as shown, merges into a separate return line 112,212,312. Instead, as also shown alternatively, all supply lines 102,202,302 can merge or flow into a common return line 415, which can be closed and opened at its end facing the supply lines 102,202,302 by a valve 416.

The consumer lines 420, 430, 440 are in turn connected at their return ends to each of the return lines 112, 212 and 312, and to the latter two via branch lines 423', 424' and 433', 434' and 443', 444'. Valves 425', 426', 427' and 435', 436', 437' and 445", 446', 447' open and close the connections of the consumer lines 420, 430 and 440 to the return lines 112, 212 and 312 in accordance with the respective program specification.

If a single common return line 415 is present instead of separate return lines 112, 212 or 312, the consumer lines 420, 430, 440 flow into this with their return ends, with valves 428, 438 or 448 releasing or blocking the respective connection to the return line 415.

Instead of an alternative equipment with separate return lines 112,212,312 or a common return line 415, it is also conceivable to provide the common return line 415 in addition to the separate return lines 112,212 or 312, if this is expedient, for example, for reasons of special flushing or supply processes.

The return lines 112, 212, 312 can be connected to the weighing mixture tank 100, 200, 300 associated with their respective feed line 102, 202, 302 or optionally to the intermediate tank 101, 201, 301 associated with it, so that the feed and return lines form part of a ring line system enclosing the weighing mixture 100, 200, 300 or the intermediate tank 101, 201, 301. A connecting line 116, 216 or 316 is provided for connection to the weighing mixture tank 100, 200, 300, which is connected to the return line 112, 212 or 312 via an intermediate connecting line 117, 217, 317. To connect to the intermediate tank 101,201,301, a connecting line 118,218,318 is provided, which leads to the bottom outlet of the intermediate tank and is connected to the return line 112,212,312 via an intermediate connecting line 119,219,319. The connecting lines 118,218,318 are connected to the feed line 102,202,302 downstream of the feed pump 103,203,303 and are connected to the feed line 102,202,302 upstream of the feed pump 103,203,303 with a valve-controlled branch line 120,220,320.

400 is a distribution tank common to all weighing mixture and intermediate tank combinations, which is connected via a separate, valve-controlled connecting line 401, 402, 403 to each of the feed lines 102, 202, 302 at a connection point located upstream of the feed pump 103, 203, 303. This common distribution tank 400 can contain fresh water, for example, but can also be filled with any other pumpable substance that it is desirable to feed into the line system.

The supply lines 102,202,302 have a branch in their initial area into three branch lines 125,126,127 or 225,226,227 respectively.

325,326,327, in which the control valves 105,106,107 or 205,206,207 or 305,306,307 are effective. The branch lines flow into a flow line area that forms the starting position for the two separating bodies 108,109 or 208,209 or 308,309, with the separating bodies 108,208,308 being located directly upstream of the junction of the branch line 126,226,326 and the separating body 209 being located directly upstream of the junction of the branch line 127,227,327.

To feed the animals in the stables, feed mixtures A ₁ B ₁ C are mixed in the weighing mixing containers 100, 200, 300, or at least in two of them, in the amount required within one feeding process. If the amount of feed required from a feed mixture is greater than can be prepared in one batch in a weighing mixing container, two or more mixing processes may need to be carried out as soon as one of the corresponding weighing mixing containers is emptied.

Before feeding begins, there is a neutral displacement liquid, such as water, in the entire line system. This applies in any case to the area of the feed lines 102, 202, 302 downstream of the separators 109, 209, 309, which are in their initial position shown in Fig. 1 at the start of feeding. When feeding begins, feed is conveyed simultaneously or sequentially from the weighing mixture containers 100, 200, 300 into the feed line 102, 202, 302 using the feed pumps 103, 203, 303. If there is also a displacement fluid in front of the valves 105,106,107 or 205,206,207 or 305,306,307, this is first pressed into the return line 112,212,312 via a bypass line 128,228,328, whereby this displacement is achieved by advancing the tip of the feed

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column in the feed line. When the branch point of the bypass line 128,228,328 is reached, the valve in this is closed and the control valve 104,204 or 304 is opened. When the valve 106,206,306 is open, the feed column now reaches the separating body 109,209 or 309, which is moved into a first operating position in its feed line 102,202 or 303.

As can be seen from Fig. 2, the separating body 109 is, for example, in an operating position 109' immediately downstream of the outlet of the consumer line 440 from the feed line 102. According to Fig. 2, the separating body 209 assumes a position 209' immediately downstream of the outlet of the branch line 443 of the consumer line 440 from the feed line 202, and the separating body 309 is in the position 309' immediately downstream of the outlet of the branch line 444 of the consumer line 440 from the feed line 302. With such a position of the separating bodies, the consumer line 440, which is usually also filled with displacement liquid, can be emptied by opening the valves 445 or 446 or 447 either in succession from the feed line 102 with the feed mixture A, from the feed line 202 with the Feed mixture B and from the feed line 302 with feed mixture C, so that the consumer point 442 can be fed with corresponding amounts of feed one after the other. It goes without saying that the valves 445', 446', 447' and 448 arranged on the return side are each opened accordingly so that the displacement liquid can flow out when a feed line enters the consumer line.

In the separator position shown in connection with the consumer line 440 109', 209', 309', it is also possible to simultaneously demand feed from the feed lines 102, 202, 302 into the consumer line 440,

whereby the feed pumps 103, 203, 303, which are designed as dosing pumps and are, for example, frequency-controlled, specify the quantity ratio. Instead of a total mixture of all three feed mixtures A, B, C, only two feed mixtures A, B or A, C can be fed into the consumer line 440 at the same time in a predetermined mixing ratio.

If only two of the feed mixtures are to be transferred to a consumer line such as the consumer line 430 in a predetermined mixing ratio, it is sufficient to position the separating bodies 109 and 309 in a position 109" or 309" respectively downstream of the outlet of the consumer line 430 or its branch line 434 from the feed line 102 or 302. This also applies if the feed mixtures A and C are to be fed one after the other.

If only a single feed mixture B is to be transferred into a consumer line such as the consumer line 420, it is sufficient to position the associated separating body 209 in the operating position 209" immediately behind the outlet of the branch line 423 of the consumer line 420 from the feed line 202 and to carry out the feeding process after opening the valves 426' and 421 with the valves 426 and 428 correspondingly open.

At each branch of a consumer line from the supply lines, the separating bodies 109, 209, 309 can be positioned in any desired way, which can be easily carried out using the computer-controlled switching device 405. However, the consumer lines are processed in the order in which they emerge from the supply lines.

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Towards the end of the feeding process, the respective weighing mixture containers 100,200,300 are emptied and displacement liquid is pumped by the feed pump 103,203,303, which is fed either via the weighing mixture container 100,200,300 or from the distribution container 400 or from the intermediate containers 101,201,301 and is pumped by the feed pump 103,203 or 303. As soon as the displacement fluid reaches the area of the control valves 105, 106, 107 or 205, 206, 207 or 305, 306, 307, the valve 105, 205 or 305 is opened in order to move the separating bodies 108, 208 or 308 along the feed line 102, 202 or 302 with the valves 105, 106 or 205, 206 or 305, 306 closed. The amount of feed still contained in the feed lines is transferred to the consumer line 420, 430 or 440.

As soon as the separating bodies 108, 208, 308 have reached a position immediately upstream of the separating bodies 109, 209 or 309, the feeding process is finished. The displacement liquid displaced into the intermediate containers 101, 201, 301 during the advance of the separating bodies 109, 209 or 309 is now conveyed from the intermediate container 101, 201, 301 in the advance into the return lines 112, 212, 312, whereby the separating bodies 108, 109 or 208, 209 or 308,309 move back together in the advance line 102, 202 or 302 until they have reached their starting position illustrated in Fig. 1. In this position, the entire pipe system can be flushed with displacement fluid if the valve is set accordingly, whereby it is also possible to expel the feed residues from the consumer pipes 420, 430, 440 and replace them with displacement fluid. The displacement fluid can then, for example, remain in the pipe system, but it can also be replaced by feeding fresh displacement fluid, such as fresh water, into the

Mixing containers 100, 200, 300 are conveyed to be used as a component of the new feed mixtures to be prepared.

In summary, the feeding device according to the invention not only enables a large number of stables to be easily supplied, but also groups of consumer points to be supplied with feed of a composition that can be precisely predetermined over a wide range. The respective feed composition, the amount delivered to each consumer point, etc. can be changed as desired during each feeding process or can be predetermined according to the program.

Claims (14)

• * !** Busse & Busse ··" Patent Attorneys European Patent and Trademark Attorneys Dipl.-Ing. Dr. iur. V. Busse Dipl.-Ing. Dietrich Busse WEDA-Dammann & Westerkamp GmbH dIK?! uTm ^ÜTcT At the station 3 w-\ &lgr;&ggr;&igr; µ** &lgr; t &lgr;&lgr;. Wholesale ring D-49424 Lutten D-49084 Osnabrück PO Box 1226 D-49002 Osnabruck Telephone:0541-586081 Fax:0541-588164 09.11.98 DB/Ba Expectations: 1. Feeding device, with at least two storage containers with Feed components loadable weighing mixture containers (100,200,300) for the preparation of at least two animal feed mixtures of different compositions (A ₁ B ₁ C), one feed line (102,202,302) connected to the bottom outlet of the weighing mixture containers (100,200,300) and including a feed pump (103,203,303), at least one consumer line (420,430,440) which is connected to the feed lines (102,202,302) and has a plurality of valve-controlled branches (421,431,441) to consumer points (422,432,442), with one intermediate container (101,201,301) assigned to each weighing mixture container (100,200,300) for the intermediate storage of a displacement liquid, with in the line system movable separating bodies (108,109;208,209;308,309) and with a computer-controlled central switching device (405,410) for the functional control of the feeding device, characterized in that the feed lines (102,202,302) form part of a ring line system, a plurality of consumer lines (420,430,440) are provided, the inlets of which are connected to each of the consumer lines (102,202,302), the feed lines (102,202,302) downstream of the connections of the inlets of the last Consumer line (440) merges into a return line (112,212,312;415), to which the consumer lines (420,430,440) are connected with their return ends, and the separating bodies (108,109;208,209;308,309) are displaceable at least along the supply lines (102,202,302). 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that each of the supply lines (102,202,302) merges into a separate return line (112,212,312). 3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the separating bodies (108,109;208,209;308,309) are displaceable along the supply and return lines (102,202,302;112,212,312). 4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the consumer lines (420,430,440) are connected at their return ends to each of the return lines (112,212,312,415). 5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that each of the return lines (112,212,312) can be connected to the weighing mixture container (100,200,300) associated with its feed line (102,202,302) and to the intermediate container (101,201,301) associated therewith. 6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the return lines (112,212,312;415) are fed by means of the feed pumps (103,203,303) from the associated weighing mixture container (100.200.300) and/or the intermediate container assigned to it (101.201.301) can be loaded in the advance. 7. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the feed pumps (103,203,303) are designed as metering pumps. 8. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the connections of the inlet ends of the consumer lines (420,430,440) to the supply lines (102,202,302) are controlled separately by valves (425,426,427;435,436,437;445,446,447). 9. Device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the connections of the return ends of the consumer lines (420,430,440) to the return lines (112,212,312;415) are controlled separately by valves (425 ^I ,426 ^I ,427 ^I ;435 ¹ _> 436 ¹ ₁ 437 ^I ;445 ^I ,446' ₁ 447 ^I ;428 _> 438 ₁ 448). 10. Device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that a distribution container (400) common to all weighing mixture and intermediate container combinations is provided, which is connected via a separate, valve-controlled connecting line (401, 402, 403) to each of the feed lines (102, 202, 302) at a connection point located upstream of the feed pump (103, 203, 303). 11. Device according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the intermediate containers (101,201,301) are connected at their bottom outlet to a connecting line (118,218,318) which is connected by a valve-controlled branch line (120,220,320) to the feed line (102,202,302) of the associated weighing mixture container upstream of the conveyor pump (103,203,303) and is connected to the feed line (102,202,302) downstream of the feed pump (103,203,303). 12. Device according to claim 1 1, characterized in that a valve-controlled intermediate connection line (119,219,319) is connected to the connecting lines (118,218,318) of the intermediate containers (101,201,301), which is connected to the associated return line (112,212,312). 13. Device according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the feed lines (102,202,302) have a branch at their beginning into three valve-controlled, parallel branch lines (125,126,127; 225,226,227; 325,326,327) and the branch lines immediately behind their control valves (105,106,107; 205,206,207; 305,306,307) open again at a distance from one another into a feed line region forming the starting position for two separating bodies (108,109; 208; 209; 308,309). 14. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the feed lines (102,202,302) merge into a single, common return line (415) which can be selectively returned to one of the weighing mixture and intermediate container combinations.